STOVE PLANTS. 2938 
green-house plants, differing only in the increased degree 
of heat. Many dry-stove plants are succulent, such as 
those belonging to the genera Cactus, Aloe, and Mesembry- 
anthemum. These require rather an arid soil, composed 
of a little light loam mixed with lime-rubbish or shivers. 
One of the most successful growers of the cactus tribe was 
the late Mr. Walter Henderson at Woodhall. The com- 
post which he employed consisted of 1 part rotted dung, | 
rotted leaves, 1 heath mould, 1 1-2 loam, and 1 coarse 
sand, all well mixed together; and the pot was nearly one- 
third filled with shreds, so as to form an effectual drain. 
Some of the species, such as Cactus speciosus and Cereus 
flagelliformis, are improved, and made to flower more freely, 
by being kept growing vigorously in an airy green-house 
during the summer months. The bark-stove plants thrive - 
best in a confined moist atmosphere, possessing something 
of the tepid vapor peculiar to the equatorial climes. In 
order to furnish bottom-heat, a bark pit is prepared, 
into which the pots or tubs are sunk; and the air is heated 
by flues, by steam, or, what is better, by a circulation of 
hot water. Along the front glass, and on the back wall, 
are shelves, on which pots may be arranged, according as 
the plants require light or shade. On the front shelves are 
oceasionally placed shallow troughs filled with sphagnum, 
and fragments of peat-moss or decayed wood, for the recep- 
tion of air plants and other epiphytes. Small cisterns, too, 
are introduced to contain tender aquatics. Along the raf- 
ters some of the more elegant species of Passiflora, such as 
P. quadrangularis, may be trained; and through the 
branches of some of the woody plants, Cuscuta Chilensis, 
Tropzolum tricolorum and Jarattii, and other tender 
climbers, may be allowed to twine themselves. In the pit 
may be plunged some of the Palms, those princes of plants, 
